Ronny Jackson running for top GOP spot on Armed Services panel

Defense Ronny Jackson running for top GOP spot on Armed Services panel Comments: by Ellen Mitchell - 07/13/26 10:54 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Ellen Mitchell - 07/13/26 10:54 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former White House physician and staunch supporter of President Trump, on Monday announced his bid to serve as the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee next year.

A retired Navy officer who already chairs the panel’s Intelligence and Special Operations subcommittee, Jackson enters a competitive field that already includes more senior members in Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).

The winner of the race would become chair if Republicans keep the House in the midterm elections. The current House Armed Services Committee chair, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), is term limited after this Congress.

“As Chairman, I will fight to advance military readiness, make critical investments in our national defense, and always put our servicemembers and their families first,” Jackson said in a post to X. “With the support of my colleagues, I will lead the Committee in delivering the authorities necessary to ensure our military is prepared to meet the growing threats posed by our adversaries. Together, we will work to keep America free and safe.”

Jackson’s bid is seen as a long-shot given he has only served three terms while Wittman, who chairs the Tactical Air and Land Forces panel, has been in Congress since 2007 and is seen as the favorite. Kelly, meanwhile, is a retired Army National Guard major general who chairs the Seapower panel, and has served since 2011.

Jackson, who announced his intention to run in April, does have some advantages. He has strong ties to Trump as he served as White House physician in the president’s first term.

“I may not have been here in Congress as long as some people, but I have 25 years in the United States Navy. That counts for something,” he told reporters at the time, as reported by Politico.

The most conservative candidate for the role, Jackson last month offered an amendment to the House’s annual defense policy bill that would codify the Trump administration’s “Department of War” name change. The proposal was adopted in a party-line vote in a surprising GOP victory.

Trump also had selected Jackson to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary in 2018, but he withdrew amid allegations of misconduct during his time as a White House doctor – including accusations he drank on the job, sexually harassed a female subordinate and casually dispensed prescription drugs.

A Defense Department inspector general report released in 2022 further alleged that Jackson belittled subordinates and took Ambien on long flights while he was on duty. Jackson denied the allegations.

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